EP3944424A1

EP3944424A1 - Electrical plug-type connection and electrical connector

Info

Publication number: EP3944424A1
Application number: EP21187204.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gregor Panitz
Original assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2020-07-22
Filing date: 2021-07-22
Publication date: 2022-01-26
Also published as: JP2024020463A; DE102020119321A1; JP7439022B2; CN113972537A; KR20220012194A; US20220029340A1; KR102624059B1; JP2022022146A

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug-type connection (0), preferably for the automotive sector, comprising a connector (10) with a connector housing (100; 102, 103) and at least one electrical terminal (150; 152, 154) arranged therein, and a mating connector (20) which is/can be plugged together with the connector (10) and having at least one electrical mating terminal (250) extending in an axial direction (Ax), and a mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) for the latter, wherein the connector housing (100; 102, 103) and the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) are mutually formed in such a way that, when/after the two connectors (10, 20) are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) is/can be moved, in particular is/can be rotated from an initial position (V) into a final position (E) at/in the mating connector (20) by means of the connector housing (100; 102, 103).

Description

The invention relates to an electrical plug-type connection, an electrical mating connector, an electrical connector, and an electrical entity, preferably in each case for the automotive sector.
In the electricity sector (electronics, electrical engineering, electrics, electrical energy technology) a large number of electrical connector means or connector devices, socket connectors, pin connectors and/or hybrid connectors, etc - referred to below as (electrical) connectors (also, mating connectors) - are known which serve to transmit electric currents, voltages, signals and/or data with a wide range of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In low-, medium- and high-voltage and/or low-, medium- and high-current contexts, and in particular in the automotive sector, such connectors need to ensure at short notice, repeatedly and/or after a relatively long period of inactivity, the transmission of electric power, signals and/or data in mechanically stressed, warm and possibly hot, unclean, damp and/or chemically aggressive environments. Because the range of applications is wide, a large number of specially formed connectors is known.
Such a connector, and possibly its associated housing (for example, in the case of a connector means or a connector device) or higher-level housing (for example, in the case of a connector device) can be installed on an electric line, a cable, a cable harness, etc - referred to below as a pre-assembled (electric) cable (also, electrical entity) - or on/in an electrical device or means such as, for example, on/in a housing, on a leadframe, on a printed circuit board etc, of a (power) electrical, electrooptical or electronic component or a corresponding assembly, etc (electrical entity).
If a connector (with/without a housing) is situated on a cable, a line or a cable harness, this is also called a cable-to-cable (plug-type) connector or a plug, a socket or a coupling; if it is situated on/in an electrical, electrooptical or electronic component, assembly etc, this is also called a connector device such as, for example, a (built-in/attached) connector, a (built-in/attached) plug or a (built-in/attached) socket. A connector on such a device is moreover often referred to as a (plug) holder, pin connector, pin strip or header. In the context of electrical engineering (generating, converting, storing, transporting and relaying high-voltage electrical current within electricity grids, preferably with three-phase high-voltage transmission), reference is often made to cable accessories owing to their relatively complex structure.
Such a connector must ensure the faultless transmission of electricity, wherein mutually corresponding and partially complementary connectors (connectors and mating connectors) usually have locking devices and/or fastening devices for locking and/or fastening the connector at/in the mating connector, and vice versa, in a long-lasting but usually detachable fashion. Moreover, an electrical connecting device for a connector, for example having or comprising an actual contact device (terminal; usually formed as a single piece or integrally, for example a contact element, etc) or a contact apparatus (terminal; usually formed as many parts, two parts, a single part, a single piece or integrally, for example a one- or multi-part (crimp) contact apparatus), must be held securely in said mating connector.
Efforts are continuously being made to improve electrical connectors and their terminals. A subject of the invention is an improved electrical connector and an improved electrical plug-type connection. The intention hereby is that the connector or connectors and the plug-type connection can be produced cost-effectively and be assembled easily and/or be handled easily.
The object of the invention is achieved by means of an electrical plug-type connection; by means of an electrical mating connector, in particular a male mating connector; by means of an electrical connector, in particular a female connector; by means of an electrical entity, preferably in each case for the automotive sector. Advantageous developments, additional features and/or advantages of the invention arise from the dependent claims and the following description.
The plug-type connection according to the invention comprises a connector with a connector housing and at least one electrical terminal arranged therein, and a mating connector which is/can be plugged together with the connector and having at least one electrical mating terminal extending in the axial direction, and a mating terminal touch protection means for the latter. According to the invention, the connector housing and the mating terminal touch protection means are mutually formed in such a way that, when/after the two connectors are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means is/can be moved, in particular is/can be rotated (angle of rotation, see below) from a or its initial position at/in the mating connector into a or its final position at/in the mating connector by means of the connector housing.
Location specifications, orientations, positions, etc - such as an axial direction, a radial direction, a circumferential direction and the like which refer to such a direction - relate to the system of the mating connector (cf. drawings). If a location specification, an orientation, a position, etc relates to the connector, the latter is assumed to be situated in a plugged-together position with the mating connector or slightly offset with respect to the mating connector in the axial direction. In other words, when not axially aligned, the system of the mating connector coincides with that of the connector; compare the specification of the axial direction (orientation of the electromechanical contact portions of the terminal as the axial direction) in the drawings with the systems of the mating connector which are shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7.
For a functional plug-type connection, the terminal and the mating terminal are of course electromechanically connected in each case to an electrical conductor (line, strip conductor, conductive pad). The connector can hereby be a constituent of a first electrical entity such as, for example, a pre-assembled electrical cable, a substrate of this electrical entity, etc and the mating connector a constituent of a second electrical entity such as, for example, a substrate of this electrical entity, a pre-assembled electrical cable, etc. This also means that the positions or designations of the connector and mating connector can be switched, i.e. the connector is a mating connector and the mating connector is a connector.
A terminal of the connector can be formed as a female or male terminal, and the mating terminal of the mating connector can be formed as a male or female mating terminal. The only condition is that terminals which relate to each other, i.e. the terminal and the mating terminal or vice versa, have a complementary design at least in some portions. A male terminal/mating terminal is, for example, formed as a pin/tab terminal, and a female mating terminal/terminal is, for example, formed as a socket terminal. The plug-type connection can be formed as a signal and/or energy connection. Moreover, the connector and the mating connector are preferably not formed as coaxial connectors and hence the terminal and the mating terminal are preferably not formed as coaxial terminals.
The connector housing can have a terminal touch protection means for the at least one terminal. In such a case, the terminal touch protection means and the mating terminal touch protection means can be mutually formed in such a way that, when/after the two connectors are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means is/can be moved, in particular is/can be rotated (angle of rotation, see below) from the or its initial position at/in the mating connector into the or its final position at/in the mating connector by means of the terminal touch protection means.
It is preferred that, before the two connectors are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means and/or the terminal touch protection means is/are functional. After the two connectors have been plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means can be essentially completely covered by the connector housing. Moreover, after the two connectors have been plugged together, the terminal touch protection means can be covered, at least on one side, essentially completely by a mating connector housing, in particular a mating terminal base collar.
For the plugging of the two connectors together, the mating terminal touch protection means is/can be moved from a possible but arbitrary, optional or determined initial position into an unavoidable and/or determined final position. The movement can here be a translational and/or rotational movement. Moreover, for the plugging of the two connectors together, the connector housing or the terminal touch protection means can be engageable at the mating terminal touch protection means. For example, a toothing of the connector housing or the terminal touch protection means can be engageable in a toothing of the mating terminal touch protection means.
The mating terminal touch protection means can be arranged in the mating connector so that it is pivotable, rotatable or revolvable around the mating terminal. A pivotable mating terminal touch protection means can be rotated around the mating terminal, for example by an angle of greater than 0° to preferably approximately 10°, 15°, 20°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 135° or 180° (ability to rotate). A rotatable mating terminal touch protection means can be rotated around the mating terminal, for example by an angle of greater than 75° to preferably or over approximately 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, 315°, 360°, 450° or 540° (ability to rotate). A revolvable mating terminal touch protection means can in principle be rotated around the mating terminal as often as desired.
In an analogous fashion to the ability to rotate of the mating terminal touch protection means, the ability to rotate, i.e. also ability to pivot or revolve, between the terminal and the mating terminal can be arranged, wherein an electromechanical sliding contact is arranged between the terminal and the mating terminal. The mating terminal touch protection means can be provided completely around the mating terminal (see below) and/or on the mating terminal. If the mating terminal touch protection means is provided both around the mating terminal and on the mating terminal, for example seated thereon, the mating terminal touch protection means can be formed in two parts (see below).
The mating connector and/or the connector can have an essentially round, in particular circular, mating face. In other words, the mating connector and/or the connector is formed as a round plug connector, wherein a possibly stepped cylindrical form of the mating connector and/or the connector is optional. This moreover means that the mating terminal and/or the terminal is/are designed as a round terminal or terminals in a plugging region in which it is formed to be electromechanically pluggable.
The mating connector can be formed as an electrical mating connector according to the invention (see below) and/or the connector can be formed as an electrical connector according to the invention (see below). Of course, the mating connector can also be formed as a connector and/or the connector can also be formed as a mating connector. The mating connector and the connector or the plug-type connection can be secured by means of a catch mechanism, a locking mechanism (bayonet, twist, screw, quick-release locking etc mechanism), a clip mechanism, a magnetic securing mechanism, etc.
The electrical mating connector according to the invention comprises at least one electrical mating terminal which extends in the axial direction and a mating terminal touch protection means for the mating terminal. According to the invention, the mating terminal touch protection means has a mating connector touch protection device which is arranged around the mating terminal and is mounted rotatably around the mating terminal. The mating connector can of course also be formed and referred to as a connector.
At least one electrical contact portion of the mating terminal for electromechanically contacting a terminal (see below) hereby extends in the axial direction. The mating connector touch protection device moreover here extends in the axial direction at least along the contact portion of the mating terminal. It is preferred that the mating connector touch protection device is arranged so that it extends mainly or essentially completely, or in particular completely, around the mating terminal. The above applies for the ability to rotate, i.e. also for the ability to pivot or revolve, of the mating connector touch protection device.
The mating terminal can be contactable electromechanically by a terminal radially inside the mating connector touch protection device. The mating connector touch protection device can moreover extend as far as or over a free longitudinal end of the mating terminal. It may be possible that the mating connector touch protection device ends below the free longitudinal end of the mating terminal. The mating connector touch protection device can furthermore be formed as a touch protection sleeve, a touch protection cage or a touch protection comb.
The mating connector touch protection device can have a plurality of prongs extending in the axial direction as a touch protection comb. The prongs are hereby, like a comb, arranged over slot-like gaps in particular in at least one part of a circle and are preferably spaced apart from one another equidistantly. Essentially all the prongs are preferably oriented essentially parallel to one another. The touch protection comb can have an in particular annular base from which the prongs extend axially.
Preferably essentially all the prongs of the touch protection comb project essentially at right angles from a plane in which a base surface of the base lies. The prongs of the touch protection comb can hereby have a relatively long design compared with teeth of a touch protection rim/crown (see below) corresponding therewith. However, a reversed design, i.e. relatively short prongs and relatively long teeth, can also be used. Prongs and teeth of essentially the same length can also be used. A design where some of the prongs have the same length and others a different length is possible.
The prongs can have centring means for a terminal touch protection means of a connector at their free axial longitudinal end portions. The longitudinal end portions of the centring means in particular have an arrow tip design with preferably a rounded tip (tip, ball tip, etc with one, two, three or four bevels). The base can be provided on/at/in a mating connector housing such that it can rotate in particular by means of a plug-type connection. The plug-type connection here takes the form of at least part of a circle, in particular a full circle, for example with an undercut or the like. The mating connector housing is hereby formed in particular as a mating terminal base collar.
The mating connector can have a second mating connector touch protection device by means of which a longitudinal end or a longitudinal end portion of the mating terminal can be shielded. The second mating connector touch protection device can hereby be arranged rigidly or also rotatably on the longitudinal end or the longitudinal end portion of the mating terminal. The second mating connector touch protection device can be formed as a touch protection ring and/or a touch protection cap. The first and/or the second mating connector touch protection device can be formed as a single piece or integrally. The mating connector can be formed as an electrical mating connector of an electrical plug-type connection according to the invention (see above).
The electrical connector according to the invention has at least one electrical terminal accommodated in a connector housing, comprising an electromechanical contact portion and an electromechanical connection portion, and a terminal touch protection means. According to the invention, the connection portion protrudes laterally from the contact portion in a radial direction at least in an axial central region of the contact portion, and moreover the terminal touch protection means preferably has a connector touch protection device which covers a mating face of the terminal. The contact portion serves to electromechanically contact an electromechanical contact portion of a mating terminal of an electrical mating connector. And the connection portion serves to electromechanically connect an electric line to the terminal. The connector can of course also be formed and referred to as a mating connector.
The connection portion can moreover extend as far as an axial end or both axial ends of the contact portion and be connected thereto there. The terminal can be formed as a single piece or integrally. The terminal can moreover be bent into shape from a preferably essentially rectangular material layer. The terminal can hereby be punched/die-cut from a piece of sheet metal and may additionally be bent accordingly.
In one embodiment, the terminal can be contacted electromechanically by a mating terminal in the plugging direction of the connector axially behind the connector touch protection device. The connector touch protection device can moreover extend mainly or essentially completely along the mating face and/or over the mating face of the terminal. In other words, it is, for example, preferred that a portion of the connector touch protection device is provided mainly or essentially completely, or in particular completely, in the axial direction below the terminal, i.e. on the terminal or in front of it in the plugging direction, in particular is arranged so that it extends around it.
The connector touch protection device can in particular be formed as a touch protection ring, a touch protection cage or a touch protection rim/crown. The connector touch protection device can hereby have, as a touch protection rim/crown, a plurality of teeth which extend in the axial direction. The teeth can, like a comb with short prongs, be arranged over slot-like gaps in particular in at least a part of a circle and are preferably spaced apart from one another equidistantly. Essentially all the teeth are preferably oriented essentially parallel to one another. The touch protection rim/crown can have an in particular annular support from which the prongs extend radially.
Preferably, essentially all the teeth of the touch protection rim/crown project essentially radially inwards or outwards from the support, or are arranged so that they extend in the radial direction between two rings, wherein one or both rings constitute the support. The teeth of the touch protection rim/crown can have a relatively short design compared with the prongs of a corresponding touch protection comb (see above). However, a reversed design, i.e. relatively long teeth and relatively short prongs, can also be used. Teeth of essentially the same length can also be used. A design where some of the teeth have the same length and others a different length is possible.
The teeth can have centring means for a mating terminal touch protection means of a mating connector at their free axial longitudinal end portions. The longitudinal end portions of the centring means in particular have an arrow tip design with preferably a rounded tip (tip, ball tip, etc with one, two, three or four bevels). The connector touch protection device or the touch protection rim/crown can moreover be formed as a single piece or integrally with the connector housing, in particular with a housing lower part.
The terminal touch protection means can have a second connector touch protection device by means of which an internal space of the terminal can be shielded. The second connector touch protection device preferably projects from the connector housing inwards into or through the terminal. The second connector touch protection device can be formed as a touch protection stud or a touch protection cylinder. The second connector touch protection device can be formed as a single piece or integrally with the connector housing, in particular with a housing upper part. The housing upper part and the housing lower part can thus form the whole connector housing of the connector. The connector can be formed as an electrical connector of an electrical plug-type connection according to the invention (see above).
The electrical entity according to the invention has an electrical connector according to the invention, an electrical mating connector according to the invention and/or an electrical plug-type connection according to the invention. The entity can hereby moreover have at least one mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical and/or fluidic means or device, for example, in addition to an entity housing, a substrate, etc. Such an entity can be formed, for example, as a means, a device, a pre-assembled cable, an assembly, a printed circuit board, a component, a module, an appliance, an apparatus, a unit, a system, etc.
The invention is explained in detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic and not-to-scale drawings. Portions, elements, parts, units, components and/or diagrams which have an identical, unambiguous or similar design and/or function are designated with the same reference symbols in the description of the drawings (see below), the list of reference symbols, the claims and the drawings. A possible alternative which is not explained in the description of the invention (see above) is not shown in the drawings and/or is not exhaustive, a static and/or kinematic reversal, a combination etc of the exemplary embodiments of the invention or a component, a diagram, a unit, a part, an element or a portion thereof can moreover be derived from the list of reference symbols and/or the description of the drawings.
In the invention, a feature (portion, element, part, unit, component, function, size) can be embodied positively, i.e. is present, or negatively, i.e. is absent. In this specification (description (description of the invention (see above), description of the drawings (see below)), list of reference symbols, patent claims, drawings), a negative feature is not explicitly explained as a feature when it is not of significance according to the invention that it is absent. In other words, the invention which is actually created, rather than one constructed according to the prior art, consists in omitting this feature.
A feature of this specification can be applied not only in a stated fashion but also in a different fashion (isolated, combined, replaced, added, considered independently, omitted, etc). It is in particular possible to replace, add or omit a feature in the claims and/or the description with the aid of a reference symbol and a feature associated therewith, or vice versa, in the description, the list of reference symbols, the claims and/or the drawings. Furthermore, a feature can consequently be explained and/or specified in detail in a claim.
The features of the description can (given the (initially largely unknown) prior art) also be interpreted as optional features; in other words, any feature can be considered an optional, arbitrary or preferred, i.e. non-binding feature. It is thus possible to disassociate a feature, possibly including its periphery, from an exemplary embodiment, wherein this feature can then be transferred to a generalized inventive concept. The absence of a feature (negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment shows that the feature is optional with regard to the invention. Moreover, a technical term for a feature can also be interpreted as a generic term for the feature (possibly further hierarchically disaggregated into lower-level terms, etc), as a result of which the feature can be generalized, for example, taking into consideration an equivalent effect and/or purpose.
In the drawings, provided purely by way of example:

Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view (Figure 1) and a side view in section (Figure 2) of a five-part touch protection means for an electrical plug-type connection according to the prior art,
Figure 3 to 5 show perspective views (Figures 3 and 4) and a view from below (Figure 5) of an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with a two-part terminal touch protection means according to the invention,
Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical mating connector according to the invention with a two-part mating terminal touch protection means according to the invention,
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a four-part touch protection means for a plug-type connection according to the invention having a connector according to Figures 3 to 5 and a mating connector according to Figure 6, and
Figure 8 shows a two-dimensional detailed view of a prong of a mating terminal touch protection device mechanically interacting with a tooth of a connector touch protection device.

The invention is explained in detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments of an embodiment of a connector (Figures 3 to 5 and 7), a mating connector (Figures 6 and 7) and a plug-type connection consisting of the connector and mating connector (Figure 7) of a variant of the invention, preferably for the automotive sector. Although the invention is described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments disclosed and instead is of a more fundamental nature.
Other variations can be derived therefrom and/or from the above (description of the invention) without going beyond the protective scope of the invention. The invention can generally be applied in the electrical sector in the case of an electrical entity (see above). An exception here is ground-based energy technology. Only those spatial portions of a subject of the invention are shown in the drawings which are required to understand the invention. Terms such as connector and mating connector etc should be interpreted as synonyms, i.e. may be mutually interchangeable.
Figures 1 and 2 show a connector 10 with touch protection means and a mating connector 20 with touch protection means for a plug-type connection 0 with touch protection means according to the prior art. In a plug-type connection 0 configured in this way, the connector 10 is configured so that it can pivot with respect to the mating connector 20. Apart from a housing upper part, a connector touch protection device 190 for a female terminal 195 of the connector 10 comprises a housing lower part and a touch protection ring provided on the free end of the terminal. A mating connector touch protection device 290 for a male mating terminal of the mating connector 20 comprises a sleeve which is closed in the circumferential direction Um of the mating connector 20, and a touch protection cap provided on the free end of the mating terminal.
After the connector 10 and mating connector 20 have been plugged together, the sleeve of the mating connector 20 is arranged outside the terminal 195 of the connector 10 in the radial direction Ra of the mating connector 20. As a result, an electromechanical connection portion 197 of the terminal 195 can only be arranged on an axial Ax end, opposite a mating face of the terminal 195, of an electromechanical contact portion 196 of the terminal 195. This consequently has only a small cross-section in a transition area from the connection portion 197 to the contact portion 196. A plug-type connection 0 which is tall in the axial direction Ax moreover results from the touch protection ring of the terminal 195 and the touch protection cap of the mating terminal.
The invention is explained in detail below with the aid of Figures 3 to 8. The female connector 10 according to the invention shown (Figures 3 to 5 and 7) comprises a female terminal 150 with an electromechanical contact portion 152 and an electromechanical connection portion 154. The connection portion 154 hereby projects laterally from the contact portion 152 in a radial direction Ra, wherein an axial Ax extent of the connection portion 154 and the contact portion 152 are of essentially the same size; it is of course possible to configure this differently (cf. above).
In the present case (cf. in particular Figure 3), the female terminal 150 is formed integrally and bent from an essentially rectangular material layer (punched/die-cut from a piece of sheet metal and possibly bent into shape); however, a different design is of course also possible. A central portion (now a circumferential portion) of the rectangular material layer here forms the contact portion 152 with an essentially hollow cylindrical internal design and the two longitudinal end portions of the rectangular material layer form two opposing lugs between which an electromechanical connection portion 13 of an electric line 12 can be or is fixed. Different female terminals 150 such as, for example, a crimp terminal can of course be used.
The female terminal 150 and a longitudinal end portion of the line 12 can be or is accommodated in a connector housing 100 (cf. in particular Figure 4). According to the invention, the connector 10 only comprises the female terminal 150 and the connector housing 100. The connector 10 and the line 12 connected thereto constitute an electrical entity 1 formed as a pre-assembled electrical cable 1.
The connector housing 100 has a housing upper part 103 and a housing lower part 102. At least the housing lower part 102 has a (first) connector touch protection device 120, formed as a terminal touch protection means 110 (cf. in particular Figures 4 and 5), for the female terminal 150. In the present case, the connector touch protection device 120 is formed as a touch protection rim/crown 120. Different designs such as, for example, a touch protection ring, a touch protection cage, etc can of course be used.
The touch protection rim/crown 120 comprises at least one support 122 formed as a ring and from which a plurality of relatively (cf. below and Figure 8) short teeth 124 which extend in a radial direction Ra project. In the present case, the support 122 comprises two concentric rings, an inner ring and an outer ring, between which such teeth 124 are arranged. The teeth 124 have a centring means 125 with in particular an arrow tip design (cf. above). The teeth 124 can interact with prongs 224 (explained below) of a touch protection comb 220.
In the present case, the touch protection rim/crown 120 is formed in such a way (Figure 5) that the inner ring of the support 122 at least partially covers, on the side with the mating face, a free end of the contact portion 152 of the female terminal 150 and hence protects a free rim of the female terminal 150 from being touched, for example by a tool or by a worker's finger. It is preferred that two preferably directly adjacent teeth 124 at least partially cover the two transition areas from the contact portion 152 to the connection portion 154 of the female terminal 150 and hence likewise protect a free rim of the female terminal 150. At least one prong 224 of a first mating connector touch protection device 220 of a mating connector 20 can be placed or can engage between these teeth 124 (see below). Apart from that, the connection portion 154 "disappears" below/behind the housing lower part 102 (on the right in Figure 5).
On the outside in an axial direction Ax, the outer ring of the support 122 is preferably flush with a, for example, cylindrical portion of the housing upper part 103, wherein the outer ring and hence also the housing lower part 102 is preferably rigidly connected, in particular locked to the housing upper part 103. Apart from this connection, the housing upper part 103 can furthermore be rigidly connected, in particular locked to the housing lower part 102. This can be the case in particular in a region of the connector housing 100 in which a longitudinal end portion of the line 12 can be held (Figure 4).
The terminal touch protection means 110 can moreover comprise a second connector touch protection device 130 by means of which an inner wall of the contact portion 152 of the female terminal 150 can be protected from being touched. In the present case, the second connector touch protection device 130 is formed as a touch protection stud 130 which projects into or through the hollow contact portion 152. Different designs such as, for example, a touch protection cylinder etc can of course be used. The second connector touch protection device 130 or the touch protection stud 130 is preferably formed integrally with the housing upper part 103. The housing upper part 103 can thus include the terminal touch protection means 110.
The mating connector 20 shown according to the invention (Figures 6 and 7) comprises a male mating terminal 250 with an electromechanical contact portion for plugging together with the contact portion 152 of the female terminal 150 and with an electromechanical connection portion for further contacting the male mating terminal 250. In an assembled state, the connection portion is electrically connected to a substrate 22. In the present case, the male mating terminal 250 is formed integrally (for example, die-cut from a piece of sheet metal) but a different design is of course also possible. The male mating terminal 250 can moreover be formed so that it is solid or possibly hollow on the inside, with longitudinal slots, etc.
A central or longitudinal region of the male mating terminal 250 can be or is held/retained in a mating connector housing 200. In the present case, the mating connector housing 200 is formed as a mating terminal base collar 200 which can be or is provided/arranged on the substrate 22. According to the invention, the mating connector 20 comprises only the male mating terminal 250 and the mating connector housing 200. The mating connector 20 and, for example, the substrate 22 together form an electrical entity 2.
The mating connector housing 200 preferably has a (first) mating connector touch protection device 220, formed as a mating terminal touch protection means 210, for the male mating terminal 250. In the present case, the mating connector touch protection device 220 is formed as a touch protection comb 220. Other designs such as, for example, a touch protection sleeve, a touch protection cage, a touch protection ring, etc cab of course be used. It is moreover possible that the substrate 22 has the mating connector touch protection device 220, wherein the mating connector housing 200 can then be omitted.
The touch protection comb 220 comprises a single, in particular annular or circular base 222 from which project a plurality of relatively (cf. above and Figure 8) long prongs 224 which extend in the axial direction. The base 222 is hereby formed such that it is partially annular or partly circular. In other words, the prongs 224 surround the male mating terminal 250 at least partially annularly or partially circularly but in the present case completely in the circumferential direction Um. At their free longitudinal end portions, the prongs 224 have centring means 225 with the form of in particular an arrow tip (cf. above). The prongs 224 can interact with the abovedescribed teeth 124 of the touch protection rim/crown 120.
The touch protection comb 220 is arranged, for example, on/in the substrate 22 or a device of the substrate 22 rotatably (cf. above for a definition of the ability to rotate). In the present case, the touch protection comb 220 is arranged rotatably on/in the mating connector housing 200 or the mating terminal base collar 200 and preferably forms a single part with the latter. The touch protection comb 220 and the mating connector housing 200 or the mating terminal base collar 200 can hereby be ready-made as a single part (for example, in a 2K injection-moulding process) or be plugged into each other by means of, for example, a plug-type connection. This can also be applied to other embodiments of the mating connector touch protection device 220.
In an assembled state of the touch protection comb 220, it is situated in an arbitrary initial position V or one in which is rotated by any desired amount (on the left in Figures 6, 7 and 8). In other words, a rotated position of the touch protection comb 220 relative to the mating connector housing 200 or the mating terminal base collar 200, or the axial direction Ax, i.e. a position in the circumferential direction Um, is not specified in detail. A determined initial position V of the touch protection comb 220 can optionally also be used. Only once the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 have been plugged together does the touch protection comb 220 assume a determined final position E. A plurality of such final positions E are preferably possible, wherein just one of them is established when the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are plugged together. This can in turn be applied to other embodiments of the mating connector touch protection device 220.
The mating terminal touch protection means 210 can moreover comprise a second mating connector touch protection device 230 by means of which a longitudinal end or a longitudinal end portion of the male terminal 250 can be protected from being touched. In the present case, the second mating connector touch protection device 230 is formed as a touch protection device 230 which sits on top of the male terminal 250 and in particular is locked thereto. The male terminal 250 can hereby be formed so that it is hollow on the inside. This can serve to hold the second connector touch protection device 130 or the touch protection stud 130 of the female terminal 150. Different designs such as, for example, a touch protection cap (a male terminal 250 which is not hollow on the inside), etc can of course be used.
When the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 are plugged together (cf Figures 7 and 8) to form the plug-type connection 0, for example the two second touch protection devices 130, 230, i.e. for example the touch protection stud 130 and the touch protection ring 230, can first be centred. Before, at the same time, afterwards or alternatively, the teeth 124 of the touch protection rim/crown 120 come to engage at or in the prongs 224 of the touch protection comb 220 (on the left in Figure 8). The teeth 124 of the touch protection rim/crown 120 hereby as a rule (the touch protection comb 220 is usually not situated in one of its possible final positions E) displace the prongs 224 of the touch protection comb 220 which rotate in the circumferential direction Um and rotate the touch protection comb 220 from its initial position V into its final position E.
The female terminal 150 and the male terminal 250 or their contact portions hereby also come into electromechanical contact. The prongs 224 of the touch protection comb 220 are thus preferably placed radially Ra inside the connector housing 100, in particular the housing upper part 103, of the female mating connector 10. The plug-type connection 0 configured thereby consisting of the connector 10 and the mating connector 20 can moreover have a further securing mechanism (cf above).
In the final position E of the connector 10 at/in the mating connector 20, i.e. of the configured plug-type connection 0, at least or precisely one prong 224 of the touch protection comb 220 can be arranged between two arms of the connection portion 154 and/or on or in a region at a free longitudinal end of the connection portion 13 of the line 12 connected to the terminal 150. A condition here is that the at least or precisely one prong 224 does not come into mechanical conflict, which could damage it, with the free longitudinal end of the connection portion 13 and/or one of the two arms of the connection portion 154.

List of reference symbols

0: (electrical) plug-type connection

1: electrical entity with connector 10/20
2: electrical entity with mating connector 20/10
5: testing tool for touch protection

10: (electrical, male/female) connector/mating connector
12: (electric) line
13: (electromechanical) connection portion

20: (electrical, female/male) mating connector/connector (the reference system refers to this)
22: substrate of the electrical entity 2

100: connector housing
102: housing lower part
103: housing upper part
110: terminal touch protection means
120: (first) connector touch protection device
122: support
124: (relatively short/long) tooth
125: centring means
130: (second) connector touch protection device
150: (female/male) terminal
152: (electromechanical) contact portion
154: (electromechanical) connection portion
190: connector touch protection device according to the prior art
195: (female) mating terminal according to the prior art
196: (electromechanical) contact portion according to the prior art
197: (electromechanical) connection portion according to the prior art

200: mating connector housing
210: mating terminal touch protection means
220: (first) mating connector touch protection device
222: base
224: (relatively long/short) prong
225: centring means
230: (second) mating connector touch protection device
250: (male/female) mating terminal
290: (mating connector) touch protection device according to the prior art

Ax: axial direction of the plug-type connection 0, of the mating connector 20
Ra: radial direction of the plug-type connection 0, of the mating connector 20
Um: circumferential direction of the plug-type connection 0, of the mating connector 20

Claims

Electrical plug-type connection (0) preferably for the automotive sector, comprising
a connector (10) with a connector housing (100; 102, 103) and at least one electrical terminal (150; 152, 154) arranged therein, and a mating connector (20) which is/can be plugged together with the connector (10) and having at least one electrical mating terminal (250) extending in an axial direction (Ax), and a mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) for the latter, characterized in that
the connector housing (100; 102, 103) and the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) are mutually formed in such a way that, when/after the two connectors (10, 20) are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) is/can be moved, in particular is/can be rotated from an initial position (V) into a final position (E) at/in the mating connector (20) by means of the connector housing (100; 102, 103).
Electrical plug-type connection (0) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connector housing (100; 102, 103) has a terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) for the at least one terminal (150: 152, 154), wherein
the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) and the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) are mutually formed in such a way that, when/after the two connectors (10, 20) are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) is/can be moved, in particular is/can be rotated from the initial position (V) into the final position (E) at/in the mating connector (20) by means of the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130).
Electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• before the two connectors (10, 20) are plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) and/or the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) is/are functional,

• after the two connectors (10, 20) have been plugged together, the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) is covered by the connector housing (100; 102, 103), and/or

• after the two connectors (10, 20) have been plugged together, the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) is covered, at least on one side, by a mating connector housing (200), in particular a mating terminal base collar (200).
Electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for the plugging of the two connectors (10, 20) together:
• the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220) is/can be moved from a possible but arbitrary, optional or determined initial position (V) into an unavoidable and/or determined final position (E),

• the connector housing (100; 102, 103) or the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) is engageable at the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230), and/or

• a toothing (124, 124, ...) of the connector housing (100; 102, 103) or the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) is engageable in a toothing (224, 224, ...) of the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230).
Electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220) is arranged in the mating connector (20) so that it is pivotable, rotatable or revolvable around the mating terminal (250),

• the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) is provided completely around the mating terminal (250) and/or is provided on the mating terminal (250), and/or

• the mating connector (20) is formed as an electrical mating connector (20) and/or the connector (10) is formed as an electrical connector (10) according to one of the following claims.
Electrical mating connector (20), in particular male mating connector (20), preferably for the automotive sector, with
at least one electrical mating terminal (250) which extends in an axial direction (Ax) and a mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) for the mating terminal (250), characterized in that
the mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220, 230) has a mating connector touch protection device (220) which is arranged around the mating terminal (250) and is mounted rotatably around the mating terminal (250).
Electrical mating connector (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that:
• radially (Ra) inside the mating connector touch protection device (220), the mating terminal (250) can be contacted electromechanically by a terminal (150; 152, 154),

• the mating connector touch protection device (220) extends as far as or over a free longitudinal end of the mating terminal (250), and/or

• the mating connector touch protection device (220) is formed as a touch protection sleeve, a touch protection cage or a touch protection comb (220).
Electrical mating connector (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• the mating connector touch protection device (220) has a plurality of prongs (224) extending in the axial direction (Ax) as a touch protection comb (220),

• the touch protection comb (220) has an in particular annular base (222) from which the prongs (224) extend axially (Ax),

• the prongs (224) have centring means (225) for a terminal touch protection means (110; 120) of a connector (10) at their free axial (Ax) longitudinal end portions, and/or

• the base (222) is provided on/at/in a mating connector housing (200) so that it can rotate by means of a plug-type connection.
Electrical mating connector (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• the mating connector (20) has a second mating connector touch protection device (230) by means of which a longitudinal end or a longitudinal end portion of the mating terminal (250) can be shielded,

• the second mating connector touch protection device (230) is formed as a touch protection ring (230) and/or a touch protection cap (230),

• the first and/or the second mating connector touch protection device (220, 230) is/are formed as a single piece or integrally, and/or

• the mating connector (10) is formed as an electrical mating connector (10) of an electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims.
Electrical connector (10), in particular female connector (10), preferably for the automotive sector, with
at least one electrical terminal (150; 152, 154) accommodated in a connector housing (100; 102, 103), comprising an electromechanical contact portion (152) and an electromechanical connection portion (154), and a terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130), characterized in that
the connection portion (154) protrudes laterally from the contact portion (152) in a radial direction (Ra) at least in an axial (Ax) central region of the contact portion (152), and moreover the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) has a connector touch protection device (120) which covers a mating face of the terminal (150; 152, 154).
Electrical connector (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that:
• the connection portion (154) moreover extends as far as an axial (Ax) end or both axial (Ax) ends of the contact portion (152),

• the terminal (150; 152, 154) is formed as a single piece or integrally, and/or

• the terminal (150; 152, 154) is bent into shape from a preferably essentially rectangular material layer.
Electrical connector (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that:
• the terminal (150; 152, 154) can be contacted electromechanically by a mating terminal (250) in the plugging direction of the connector axially (Ax) behind the connector touch protection device (120),

• the connector touch protection device (120) extends mainly or essentially completely along the mating face and/or over the mating face of the terminal (150; 152, 154), and/or

• the connector touch protection device (120) is formed as a touch protection ring, a touch protection cage or a touch protection rim/crown (120).
Electrical connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• the connector touch protection device (120) has a plurality of teeth (124) which extend in the axial direction (Ax) as a touch protection rim/crown (120),

• the touch protection rim/crown (120) has an in particular annular support (122) from which the teeth (124) project radially (Ra),

• the teeth (124) have centring means (125) for a mating terminal touch protection means (210; 220) of a mating connector (10) at their free axial (Ax) longitudinal end portions, and/or

• the connector touch protection device (120) or the touch protection rim/crown (120) is formed as a single piece or integrally with the connector housing (100; 102, 103), in particular with a housing lower part (102).
Electrical connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:
• the terminal touch protection means (110; 120, 130) has a second connector touch protection device (130) by means of which an internal space of the terminal (150; 152, 154) can be shielded,

• the second connector touch protection device (130) is formed as a touch protection stud (130) or a touch protection cylinder,

• the second connector touch protection device (130) is formed as a single piece or integrally with the connector housing (100; 102, 103), in particular with a housing upper part (103), and/or

• the connector (10) is formed as an electrical connector (10) of an electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims.
Electrical entity (1, 2), preferably for the automotive sector, characterized in that
the entity (1, 2) has an electrical connector (10), an electrical mating connector (20) and/or an electrical plug-type connection (0) according to one of the preceding claims.